Heyyy everyone, happy Tuesday! I hope you all have battled through your turkey comas and cyber shopping hangovers by now. I have been enjoying a glorious few days away from work, catching up on rest and knocking things off my Christmas shopping list. I'm checking in today because I want to remind everyone about #GivingTuesday. What an awesome thing-- a response to our consumer crazed shopping of the last week in the form of an opportunity to support some truly wonderful organizations. There are SO many out there, which is great, but also sometimes hard to sort through. So I thought I'd give you a quick rundown of a few groups that have made a difference in my life this year. Like so many of you, I am very fortunate. I have not been on the receiving end of charitable services...but boy have these organizations given me a lot. That's the beauty of donating your time and/or money. I *guarantee* it will be better than any gift you find under a tree. First up... GIRLS IN THE KNOW The picture above is from an event a few weeks ago. I served as emcee and Dr. Tim Jordan spoke to a an incredible group of women (and one man!) eager to make a difference in their daughters' lives. To make this as short as possible-- GITK is a group that puts on a speaker series for preteen girls and their moms/caregivers. They learn from the experts (doctors, police officers, psychologists) about everything from puberty to personal safety...from body image to being a good friend. SO cool. I encourage you to watch the video about it below. Really well-produced and a great snapshot of what GITK is all about. I first learned about GITK in May, on Give STL day. I was cruising through all the awesome groups and something about this one just really spoke to me. Since then, the more I've learned the more impressed I've become! We already know women are changing the world every single day. Imagine the impact of GITK--- they are helping young girls to come out of adolescence empowered and ready to lead. The positive impact is exponential! You can donate here: http://girlsintheknow.org/get-involved/donate/ And here's what I did: https://www.etsy.com/listing/211144019/power-pack-notecards-set-of-four Every purchase benefits GITK. I can't wait to give this beautiful stationery to loved ones this Christmas! Alright, next up! .... THE LITTLE BIT FOUNDATION I just learned about this amazing non-profit about a month ago. (Hands down one of my favorite parts of my job is getting to spread the word about all the wonderful work people do for total strangers. There is so much good in this world!) So I stopped by an elementary school in North St. Louis on a very cold day to meet some kids who greatly benefit from Little Bit. One of the organizers mentioned to me that this particular day alone, five kids showed up to school without coats. Heartbreaking. But this group is committed to making sure the kids they serve have everything they need to be successful in school. What makes it even more special-- they do it with dignity. I got to see firsthand the looks on the kids' faces when they picked out a coat and a loving volunteer helped them try it on. Then they get to pick a matching scarf and gloves. Tearjerker status, trust me! Here's the story I did on the organization: http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Cold-weather-causes-spike-in-calls-to-local-charities--283171181.html (I also plan to start volunteering there when things settle down a bit. Hold me to it!) Please consider giving your time or talents (or cash!) to Little Bit. I know it will go to good use. As they say, every little bit counts! Donate here: http://www.thelittlebitfoundation.org/ And last but certainly not least.... This is a shot from the Over the Top for Tots event benefiting the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. The people standing beside me in this picture are my heroes! They helped the Crisis Nursery staff organize the event that ended up raising $92,000 for local children in need. I emceed the luncheon and let me tell you, I had to hold back tears multiple times. Many of you know about the Crisis Nursery--the folks there offer a 24/7 safe haven for kids no matter what the circumstances. I interviewed the Executive Director in my first year on the job and I will never forget what she told me about children who are abused. She said no parent ever wants or plans to hurt her child. It is the profound stress of life circumstances that leads up to abuse and Crisis Nursery is there to make sure it doesn't get to that point. I can only imagine the patience and empathy the folks at the Crisis Nursery employ every single day. This year they are granting holiday wishes for 1,700 kids in St. Louis. They still need help though--as of now 25 families will not get a Christmas this year. If you can, please donate here: http://www.crisisnurserykids.org/ Thanks so much for reading and happy holidays to each of you! If you have a favorite charity or know someone in need, please let us know.
Always, Emily
1 Comment
Laura
2/5/2015 12:37:39 pm
I am so proud to see such an intelligent, beautiful young woman on KMOV. Excited for all of your new changes that are coming! You do great work! What an example you have become for younger girls looking to find their way. Ge Bless!
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